6 Comments

I just found your blog when reading all the posts of This is the Face of Genealogy. I saw the tags and wanted to know where your O’Rourke relatives were from. I have the O’Rourke family in my line. My great grandfather (Patrick 1852-1929) emigrated to Pennsylvania USA in 1872 from Limerick Ireland.

I found that his fathers name was Denis but I have yet to find much else in my research.

Claudia, my O’Rourkes are from Ballymacdonnell in Co. Kerry. There are a couple of Denis Rourkes in the same parish (Killeentierna), but I think it would be unlikely they are your family. Were your O’Rourkes farmers? Have you checked Griffith’s Valuation? I did a search on Denis Rourke (the ‘O’ is often dropped) in Co LImerick, and found two – one in Emlygrennan, and one in Kildimo. Did any of your great grandfather’s siblings stay behind in Ireland? You could check to see who took over the farms above (using the Revision or ‘Cancelled Land’ books at the LDS), and see if they are names in your family tree. I am still finding my way with Irish records! Good luck 🙂

Cliff Truesdale

I was intrigued reading through your story… I was Gobsmacked to hear the name Mary Jane Carroll as i am trying to trace the same name from Belfast N.Ireland who Married my gran Dad named Faircliffe Truesdale b. 1886 Lisduff co down Ireland. Would you believe i am at a dead end now so i am hoping somebody may help me with and information. The Truesdale Clan are a Big named family in Co Down and i have traced mine back 4 generations to 1800. I would like to know if anybody knows the name Mary Jane Carroll from Belfast who Married Faircliffe on 20th Nov 1920 in Belfast.

Hi Cliff
My Mary Jane married a John Carroll in the June quarter of 1901, and was still living with him in 1920, so unfortunately is not your Mary Jane. Good luck with your search – hopefully someone who has information may see your message!